See also: Mosey

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Unknown. Originally attested in Southern US dialects. Suggested origins include:

Pronunciation

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  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈmoʊ.zi/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Verb

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mosey (third-person singular simple present moseys, present participle moseying, simple past and past participle moseyed)

  1. (chiefly US, dialectal, intransitive) To set off, get going; to start a journey.
    • 1910, Lucy Maud Montgomery, “chapter 1”, in Kilmeny of the Orchard:
      Haven't got time. I must mosey up to the North End to see a man who has got a lovely throat. Nobody can find out what is the matter. He has puzzled all the doctors.
  2. (chiefly US, dialectal, intransitive) To go off quickly: to hurry up.
  3. (chiefly US, dialectal, intransitive) To amble; to walk or proceed in a leisurely manner.
    • 1919, William MacLeod Raine, “chapter 6”, in A Man Four-Square:
      We'll mosey along toward the river. Kinder take it easy an' drift the herd down slow so as to let the cattle put on flesh.

Usage notes

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  • Associated especially with the dialect of the Old West.

Translations

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Anagrams

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